Want to Breathe Cleaner Air? The Best UK Air Purifiers Reviewed

This buying guide can help you to understand more about what an Air Purifier can do for you, what you should look for and what some of the best Air Purifiers on the market today can offer you.

Picking the best Air Purifier for you really depends on why you are buying one and where you are going to use it. To help with this choice we have separated the Air Purifier Reviews into several sections. On this page we have have subdivided them into Small, Medium and Large sizes. We have further categorized the Air Purifier reviews into the two main types of Air Purifiers; Air Ionisers and HEPA Air Purifiers on subsequent pages.

What is an Air Purifier?

Everyone is well aware of the pollution that they encounter in the outside world, caused by factories, vehicles, and the emission of fossil fuels. But have you ever considered just how poor the air quality in your home may be?

Even if you live well away from roads and other major causes of pollution, your home may be lacking in clean, healthy air. Much of that is down to our modern homes and lifestyles, with double-glazed windows now in virtually every home. This may keep your home cosy and save you money on your energy bills, but the downside is that keeping the cold air out means keeping the poor air in.

You can air your home by opening windows, but that’s not very practical in the middle of winter, and is downright unpleasant for hay fever sufferers. Pollutants are also caused by factors as basic as the cleaning products we use, or the Volatile Organic Compounds emitted from carpets and paint. Even pet hair can affect people who aren’t actually allergic. And since we often spend the majority of the day indoors, it’s not good news for our health.

An air purifier is the simple, practical answer to this perennial problem. They will remove any contaminants from your home, and are a boon to anyone with allergies – whether seasonal ones such as hay fever, or caused by a reaction to pets. They may be installed throughout the house or building, or portable purifiers can be used in any room.

Types of Air Purifiers

Activated Carbon – long since used as a purifier, and often used in combination with other filters.

HEPA – HEPA Air Purifiers use Filters which typically last 2-4 years and trap all but the smallest microns.

Ionizers – these attract particles in the air such as pollen or dust. However, Ionising purifiers will not actually clean the air, and the particles can end up back in the air.

Ozone – these may be inadvisable for anyone with asthma or other respiratory problems, as ozone can exacerbate such ailments.

Ultra Violet – these kill off bacteria and viruses, so are a very good option for anyone with a compromised immune system or who is prone to illness. However, they should be used in conjunction with a filter system, so that the air is cleaned as well.

Why you need an Air Purifier

Can you really afford not to have an air purifier? With so many contaminants in the air, even the cleanest home is not always healthy as far as the air is concerned. The average home can be affected by most, if not all, of the following:

Tobacco smoke

Pet hair & dander

Cleaning products

Outside contaminants

Carpets & paint

Adhesives

Cooking

Open fires

It’s really quite shocking to consider just how many pollutants we are exposed to in our modern homes. In fact, the newer and better insulated the home, the more we are affected, as there is less fresh air coming in from outside. And when we consider that many of us live in built-up areas, close to busy roads, it’s clear that even the outside air may not be all that fresh.

All this adds up to a cocktail of pollutants that we’re breathing in every single day of our lives. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look as though that will improve any time soon; governments are unwilling to act, people don’t want to give up their cars, and businesses continue to produce the goods that we demand. So in the absence of any major initiatives to produce cleaner air, the onus is on us as individuals to keep the air in our own homes clean. Air purifiers are the best way to ensure that.

What to look for when choosing an Air Purifier

Budget will of course play a major part in choosing from the many air purifiers on the market. That aside, it can be a bewildering choice. Most purifiers use a combination of different methods to ensure a more effective result. So it’s important to select one with a multistage filtration method.

What else might influence your decision?

Portability.
Whole-house purifiers are, naturally, expensive to install. However, they are the most efficient method. However, if this kind of expense is outside your budget, there are plenty of portable purifiers. These vary in size, and can be a more practical option if you would like to use the unit in different rooms; this will avoid the necessity to purchase a number of machines, although is not so practical if your family tend to be in different rooms.

Space & capacity.
Some units are quite compact, and therefore ideal for small spaces such as an individual office or a flat/studio. The capacity of a unit (the area it can cover) will also vary. Whichever you buy, you will need a unit that can cover a slightly wider space than the dimensions of your room/office. This will ensure maximum efficiency.

Running costs.
A good unit will cost from £26-£72 per annum to run (source: Which Magazine). You will also need to replace the filters regularly.

Maintenance.
HEPA filters are a useful option if you want a low-maintenance Air Purifier. They are not only efficient, but as you can vacuum the filter you won’t need to replace it as frequently as you would with other types of filters. If you choose a different type, you will probably have to replace it every few months; look for a machine with an indicator to tell you when it is time to replace the filter.

Noise.
If you intend to leave your unit running at night, or you are easily bothered by noise, you should opt for a quieter version. Some units have a quiet mode that you can select. You can also pick a machine that is made for a wider area, and use it on lower speeds.

How much do you need to spend?

This is one area where opting for a cheap unit can be virtually useless. If the machine doesn’t function efficiently, you are throwing your money away. Many lack the necessary power to clean the air, which means that they work so slowly the air never really gets clean. Speed really does matter here.

There are air purifiers on the market for less than £50, although these entry-level units may not actually be that effective. Expect to spend double that price for a decent machine. But spending at the top end of the market doesn’t mean that you’ll get a more efficient machine though. Look at reviews to compare different models and decide on which one is the best for your needs.

You can, of course, buy an air purifier second-hand, but this can be a false economy. A used model will not carry any guarantee, so if it breaks down you’re stuck with it. You also need to ask yourself why the previous owner is disposing of it. Is it so ineffective that they need to replace it, and just want to make some money back on it?